false crotch question

[Ropegun]

I am working in east NC and there are a lot of big pine trees out here that I have never worked in. If it is safe and solid, I like to cut false crotches to lower stem pieces because it is faster than rigging and moving sling systems for every piece. Have any of you run into problems cutting false crotches in sappy trees and gumming up lowering lines?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Yup. Use the block, or your rope will be totally gummed up. Loblollys run sap bad.

 

[Iustinian]

Is the time saved worth the price of a new rigging line? I doubt it, but it is something to consider. If It's not critical use a rope that is almost ready for retirement anyway. We have ropes we use for pines, even have some climb lines set aside for conifer climb jobs only.